Control device



bet. 11, 1938. A, G HANN 2,133,226

CONTROL DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1955 #4 AT 4 NEY '3 sheets-sheet 1 Ogt. 11, 1938. 'AHG. N 2,133,226

CONTROL DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 mvENToR BY W fi/ATTO EY A, G. HANN CONTROL DEVICE Oct. 11, 1938.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 29, 1935 INVENTOR W 9. M BY v I did ATTO NEY Patented Oct. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL DEVICE Application January 29, 1935, Serial No. 3,905

17 Claims.

My invention relates to control devices and more particularly to devices for controlling the fiow of liquid. r

One of the objects of my invention is to pro- 5 vide a new and improved gravity feed control device for controlling the flow of liquid.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for controlling the flow of liquid, operable among other uses for controlling the flow of oil by gravity from a reservoir tank to an oil burner, and to provide a control device for this purpose having a new and improved arrange'' ment of the operating parts thereof.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification, I have fully and clearly illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, in which drawings Figure 1 is a view shown in side elevation of. an oil burning apparatus employing my im- 25 proved control device with a gravity feed system;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the control device with its cover removed to show the arrangement of the operating parts thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side view shown in cross-section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the control device with the cover in place;

Fig. 5 is'a detail view of an oil strainer shown of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a side view shown in cross-section taken along the line 6-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view partly broken away and in section to show the outlet valve structure embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view shown in crosssection similar to Fig. 7, showing the valve in another position, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of the inlet valve structure shown in cross-section taken along the line 99 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. '1, there is shown my control device, designated in general by the numeral I, having among other uses the controlling of the flow of oil by gravity from a reservoir tank 2 to an oil burning furnace 3. The control device is in communication with the oil burner through the conduit or p pe 3. The control device is arremoved from the casing and embodying features ranged in the oil line between the tank 2 and the furnace 3 for maintaining a predetermined substantially constant flow of oil to the burner, regardless of the quantity of oil in the tank, and this control device includes a substantially rectangular shaped casing 4 having a substantially rectangular shaped main chamber 5 in which the level of the oil or any other liquid is maintained at a predetermined substantially constant level by control mechanism arranged thereinv and hereafter described. A cover 6 is provided to close the chamber 5 and may be fixed to the easing 4 in any suitable manner, such as by the screws 8. The control device may be mounted, such as by the bracket 1, fixed to the furnace wall, or in any other suitable manner so as to permit oil to flow preferably by gravity from chamber 5 to the oil burner.

In the casing and below chamber 5 there is provided a second chamber I0 into which the oil or other liquid first enters through passageway I l and in which chamber it is filtered before entering chamber 5 through communicating passageway I2. The chamber l0- extends beneath chamber 5 substantially coextensive therewith and with the inlet port ll located at one end in the bottom wall of the casing and with passageway I2 located in the other end of-chamber l0. Preferably, the chamber I 0 is in the form of a cylindrical bore .having an opening 9 to receive a cylindrical shaped strainer H. The strainer l3 may be formed of any suitable fine mesh wire, preferably having its inner end l5 closed such as by a cap H5 or other suitable closure member and having the outer end I! open and provided with a tubular extension or collar l8.

In order to support the strainer within the chamber I0 and tightly seal the chamber against leakage and to do so in a manner so that the strainer may be readily assembled and/or disassembled with the chamber, I provide a closure member l9 slidably insertable in the chamber ill with its inner end slidably telescoping the open end ll of the strainer l3. The closure member I9 is preferably formed having a. cylindrical shaped portion or shank 2| which slidably fits intothe cylindrical bore or chamber Ill and extends part-way thereinto. The closure member I9 is provided with an external laterally extending flange 20 providing a shoulder for seating against the outer wall of the casing. Between the flange 20 and the wall of the casing, a washer or suitable packing material, indicated at 2|, may be provided to insure a tight leak-proof connection. u

- I! is provided with longitudinally extending central bores 3i and 32, the larger bore 3i being located at the inner end oi the closure member I! thus providing when in operable position, an

internal and inwardly facing shoulder 33. The

tubular extension or collar E8 of the strainer 13 slidably telescopes within the larger bore it of the closure member l9 extending part-way into the closure member and seating against the shoulder 33. Preferably a tight fit isdesirable between the collar l8 and bore 3| to prevent the escape of liquid therebetween and also to prevent accidental separation of the strainer and the closure member. To obtain such a lit, the collar I may be formed with a slightly larger external diameter than the diameter of bore 3! and be slit, as at 34, so that it can be slidably spring fitted into the relatively small bore 3|.

A portion of the shank 2i is formed intermediate its ends with an external reduced portion providing an annular slot 35 which cooperates with the inner wall of chamber I0 to provide an annular passageway 36. When the closure member is in position in the chamber II, the annular passageway I6 is in alignment with the inlet port ll of the casing and in open communication therewith. The inner central bore 32 extends from bore 2| only part-way into the shank, terminating at a point adjacent the annular slot SI so that radially disposed apertures or passageways 31- through shank 2| establish communication between the annular passageway 2i and the bore 32. Oil entering the inlet port H passes into the annular passageway 36 and then through radial passageways 31 and bores 32 and 2! to the interior of the cylindrical strainer l3. After the oil is strained by flow through strainer ll into chamber II, it passes from chamber II to chamber through passageway l2. W

\ In order to securely fix the closure member I! tightly against the casing and to do so in a manher so that the strainer may be easily assembled and/or disassembled without danger of tilting the casing and generally upsetting the normal function of the control device commonly occurring when a wrench is applied to a threaded closure 1 member, I provide a clamp or lever arm '22 arranged to extend across the flanged end of the closure member and having a portion intermediate its ends in contact with the closure member, the pressure applied to member ll being applied at the clamp ends either side of the closure member) In the present construction, the clamp 22 is L-shaped and hinged at one end to the casing at one side of the flange 2|, as at 24, the other end being provided with an aperture 2 for receiving a screw 26 or other suitable detachable holding means. The casing is. also provided with a threaded aperture 28 positioned on the oppodte side of member I! for receiving the screw 20.

Preferably the clamp is arranged so as to extend across the flange 2| at the center thereof and is provided with a tapered protuberance 28 for engaging the member ii. The outer end of the closure member I! is preferably provided with a conicalrecess 29 for receiving the protuberance 28, thus obtaining a single point contact at the center of the closure member at which the pressure is brought to bear when the clamp 22 is drawn toward the casing by means of the screw 2.

This second valve actuating means includes a anism within chamber 5 to maintain a predetermined substantially constant liquid level therein. The valve structure, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 9, includes a fitting ll, having one end 42 externally threaded for threaded engagement with the internally threaded aperture of passageway E2. The fitting it extends vertically upward from the bottom wall of the casing and is provided with a central bore 44 in its upper end and a central bore 45 in its lower end in communication with bore 44 by means of a relatively smaller bore 46 providing an upward facing seat 41 and valve port for the valve 40. The valve 40 is preferably formed at its lower end with a substantially conical shaped portion 41' cooperable with the valve port to close the same. Laterally extending bores #8 through fitting 4| provide 3 communication between bore 44 and the interior of chamber 5. The valve 40 which is reciprocable in the fitting has a vertically extending stem portion which extends part-way above the top of the fitting and to the upper end of which is rigidly fixed a collar 49. The upper end of the fitting 4| is provided with a guide member 50 preferably an apertured cap, sleeved over the end of the fitting.

A bracket 5|, preferably substantially U- shaped, is rigidly clamped to the bottom wall of the casing by the fitting ll which passes through an aperture in the base II of the bracket. The sides N of the U-shaped bracket extend upwardly onopposite sides of the fitting ll and are connected at their upper ends by a horizontally extending bearing pin 58. Fulcrumed on the pin is there is a lever 51 bifurcated at one end to provide parallel arms 58 to receive the upper end of the valve member or collar 49 and which extend between the substantially horizontal flanges of the 4;

operated by the float, is located in the opposite end of the chamber 5 from float 60 thus permitting along lever arm 51 between the large float 60 and the fulcrum point. Normally a relatively large float having a good leverage will emciently operate to close tightlythe valve 40 against relatively high oil head pressure when the liquid level i in the chamber 5 rises to the predetermined substantially constant level. I

In order to be sure that the valve 40 will close when the liquid level rises above the predetermined constant level and which the float 60 might fail to do because of grease or other foreign matter collected between the valve and the valve seat, I provide a safety device or secondvalve actuating device which is also disposed within chamber 5.

toggle device normally inactive but arranged so as to have a potential force which when released operates to close the valve with such force as to crush out all foreign matter between the valve and its seat. The releasing of the toggle device is i controlled by a second float 62 relatively small compared to float 68, which smaller float is also disposed in chamber 5 and arranged so as to be I ing member or support 63, a lever 64 and a coil spring 65 held in compression between the bear- .ing member 63 and lever 64. The toggle device is arranged at the top of the chamber 5 with the lever member 64 extending over the end of the vertically extending valve 48, for operating the same when released; The lever arm 64 may be formed of sheet metal, if desired, having a horizontally disposed portion 66 and preferably substantially vertically and longitudinally extending reenforcing side flanges 61 and 68. A downwardly extending portion or projection 18 may be provided on the underface of horizontally disposed portion 66 of the lever 64arranged for engagement with the top end of the valve 48 to reduce friction between the pivotable lever 64 and the reciprocating valve. The lever 64 is pivotally supported at one end, and adjacent the end wall 69 of the casing, the flanges 61 and 68 being provided with aligned slotted apertures running out at the ends for receiving a horizontal bearing pin 1 I. The spring 65 maintains the lever 64 in bearing engagement'against the pin 11 and by reason of this slotted bearing, it will be seen that the lever 64 can be readily removed by compressing the-spring 65, after which the valve 48 can be lifted out of its housing thus facilitating assembly of the parts and rendering them easy to remove to clean or repair or replace the same. The bearing pin 1| is arranged adjacent to the end wall 69 of the casing so that the lever 64 can be as long as possible to obtain good leverage, and this hearing pin 1| may be supported in the opposite casing side walls adjacent the end wall 68. To prevent side movement of the lever 64, it may be provided with a slot 13 to receive a vertical rib 14 integral with the casing wall 69 and which extends into the chamber 5.

By having the lever 64 pivoted at one of its ends and substantially at the extreme end of chamber 5 and by having the valve structure arranged in the same end of the chamber 5, it will be seen that the point of engagement of the lever 64 on the valve 48 can be near the pivot point thus obtaining a relatively long lever arm on the other side of the contact point. The lever 64 extends from its pivot point preferably at a slight downward angle, or off center, with the flange 68 extending the full length of the chamber 5 and projecting, as at 15, through a slotted aperture 16 in the opposite end wall 11 and extending externally thereof. The flange 61 and the horizontal portion 66 of the lever terminate within the chamber with the flange 61 extending slightly beyond the termimembers 63 and 16 which are preferably tapered or pointed, as shown in Fig. 3, thus having single point bearing engagement with the members 19 to permit ready movement of the lever 64 and reduce friction between the parts.

The arrangement of the toggle device having 'allel side walls adjacent the end wall 11.

the lever 64 inclined slightly downward or past center is the normal inactive position of the device, and because of this arrangement with the spring 65, the lever 64 has a potential force or tendency to pivot downwardly against the valve 48. A second lever 88 is provided and pivoted at one end adjacent the end wall 11 by means of and on a horizontally extending pin 6| fixed in par- The lever 88 is preferably provided with a depending portion 82 in the form of a catch having a horizontal latching portion 83 normally supporting the lever 64, the lever 64 having a lug or laterally extending portion 84 normally bearing on or engaging the latch. The lever 88 includes a relatively short arm 85 extending on the other side of the pivot point 8| from float 62 and through the slotted aperture 16 immediately abovethe arm portion 15, the purpose of these two externally projecting le'ver portions being hereafter described. It will be understood that the toggle device can not go over center in an upward direction because of the lever arm 85 disposed immediately above the arm portion 15 of the lever. 64, the underside of the lever 85 being below the center of the toggle device.

The second float 62 is also disposed in chamber 5 and is preferably pivotally connected to the other end of the lever 88, as at 86, for controlling the releasing of the toggle means. The float 62 is located in the opposite end of the chamber 5 from the pivot point 'of its lever 88 and at one side of the valve structure. This float has a horizontal area preferably relatively small compared to float 68 but having a relatively greater depth thanfioat 68. A wall or partition means 81, which may be an integral part of the ca sing,as shown,surrounds the float 62 in close proximity thereto providing a chamber 88 which the float substantially fllls. The wall means 81 extends vertically upward from the bottom wallof the chamber 5 and to a point above the predetermined constant liquid level, as indicated by line LL, Fig. 6. The wall of chamber 88 is provided with a cut-out portion or recess 89 in its top edge establishing an overflow edge or dam at a point preferably slightly above the constant liquid level, and through or over which the liquid flows when it exceeds such level in chamber 5. By means of the close fit of the float 62 in its chamber 88 and its occupying practically all of itschamber, it will be understood that upon overflow of the liquid from chamber 5 or valve actuating means to positively close the valve.

In the present disclosure, the control device has two outlet valve structures for accommodating two burners, but since these valves are the same in structure and operation, a description of one is deemed suficient. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 in which views one of the valve structures is shown in detail, the valve structure is preferably located at one side of the casing and includes a valve chamber, the wall means 98 of which may be, as shown, an integral part of the casing, if desired. The wall means 88 extends vertically upward within the chamber 5,'and the top portion 9| is preferably tubular in form.- The valve chamber includes a relatively largev vertically extending bore 82', in the upper portion thereof, for receiving the valve stem 84, which valve stem is relatively smaller than bore 82 so that there is a space 95 surrounding the valve stem and into which oil enters through an aperture 86 from chamber 5. Preferably the aperture 96 is in the form of a slot extending from the top of the wall means 90 to a point adjacent the bottom wall of chamber 5. The relatively large bore 92 also extends to a point adjacent the bottom wall of chamber 5, at which point a relatively small bore 81 concentric with bore 92 provides an upwardly facing seat 98 for the beveled face 89 of the valve. A bore I0! is provided which extends from the bottom wall of the casing to a point adjacent bore 91 and which may be threaded to receive a threaded closure plug IN. A relatively smaller bore I03 serving as the valve port connects bores 8? and Hill and \slidably receives the lower end portion of the valve which is diametrically reduced, as at "2, to slidably fit the same. Thus, annular chambers I and 105, Fig.8, are provided between the reduced diametrical portion 32 and the walls of the bores 91 and I" respectiveiy.

The valve stem is provided with a central longitudinally extending bore I66 which opens through the lower end of the reduced portion I02 and extends therefrom to a point well above the overflow level at which point it is in open communication through laterally extending apertures I01 with chamber 5 to permit the escape of gases which may form in the valve chamber and oil line. Bore Hit! is in open communication with outlet port iild through a lamrally extending: pas: sageway lei-3. and extend ng vertically upward from the outlet port i238 and to a point above the constant liquid level is a. passageway Hi through which gases forming in the valve chamber and oil line may also escape.

Preferably the lower end or reduced portion it? of the valve has a tapered face and is provided with a. i-shaped opening lid in the side thereof and in communication wlth bore Hit and also preferably converging upward from the bottom of the valve to an apex adjacent the conical portion 59 thereof. Oil enters chamber 9% through passageway 95 and when the valve is raised from its seat, as shown in Fig. 8, the oil enters annular chamber we. The oil then passes through the V-shaped opening to the central bore I08 and then into chamber 805 from which it passes to the outlet E08 through passageway I09. It will be seen that when the valve is raised from its seat and more of the v-shaped opening, below the apex, is in chamber 91, a larger quantity of oil will be permitted to pass to the outlet i138.

When the flame of an oil burner has been extinguished or the oil burner has been operating with a low flame, and a high flame is instantly desired, it is also necessary that a comparatively large quantity of oil must be instantly delivered to the burner. To this end I provide an outlet valve structure, the valve 84 of which is slidably disposed in its valve chamber so that it may be slidably withdrawn to immediately open the valve to maximum open position and also so that it can be employed as a pump plunger, to pump oil to the burner. To accomplish this I provide cam means for vertically adjusting the valve 04 relative to its seat, and in the present structure the cam face is formed on the tubular-shaped top edge 'of the valve chamber wall means, as at Ill. On the valve stem ll and withinchamber 5 is carried a cam follower Hi, the follower shown being in the form of a tubular sleeve member having a central aperture for receiving the valve stem 94. The follower ill includes a downwardly extending portion or lug ll8 the lower edge of which is in the same vertical plane as the cam face ill for engagement therewith, and if desired the lug H8 may be an integral part of the wall of the sleeve member, as shown. A coil spring l2! surrounds the valve stem 95 and is held under compression between the cam follower H5 and the underside of the cover 6 to resiliently maintain contact between the follower and the cam when they are in engagement and to urge the It valve against its seat 98 when the follower I I5 and cam H4 are not in engagement. It will also be seen that upon closing rotation of the valve stem 84 the spring [2! aids to move the valve toward its seat. The slot 96 extending through the upper end of the valve housing 90 provides a break or opening in the otherwise continuous camface ill and preferably the slot 95 is located relative to the cam face 4 so as to provide a space between the highest and lowest points thereon. One side face of the slot 96 as indicated at 95, Fig. 8, extends higher than the other and cooperates with the lug M8 to provide a stop. The cam H5 is preferably located at a point on the valve stem 94 such that when the lug H8 of the cam follower Hills in engagement with the side edge of the slot 96, the valve will be seated or in closed position. In this position, the cam follower lug H8 overlies the slot 96 and accordingly is not in engagement with the cam face lit so that the valve is free to seat and is aided to seat properly by the spring iii.

Upon rotating the valve stem 9% in one direction, the cam follower climbs the spiral com, compressing the spring iii and lifting the valve 95 away from its seat, thus opening the valve port @533 to permit an increase of the quantity of liquid flowing through outlet nos, whereas rotation in the opposite direction from closed position is prevented by engagement of the lug l! 3 with the side face 98 of slot 96. Preferably the vertical dis-- tance between the lowest point on the cam face lid to the highest is such that when the lug lid rests on the highest point oi the cam, the valve is not in maximum open position, but is rather in a position to permit the largest quantity of oil flow to the burner and the resultant highest flame without danger of injury to the burner. It will be seen that the valve 94 by reason of the cam adjustment, can not be set in maximum open position, as is possible when a valve is threaded for adjusting it, for if the valve is rotated beyond the high point of the cam it will fall down to closed position. However, it is desirable when the burner flame has been extinguished or hasbeen operating at low or pilot flame to be able to open the valve to maximum open position, that is, to a position such that oil will flow unobstructed by the valve and be determined only by outlet port capacity, until such time as regular uniform flow through the oil line 3- is established. By reason of the use of a cam adjusting means, the valve 94 may be lifted without necessity of rotation and may be held away from its seat so that a maximum flow of oil will pass to the burner. It has also been found that gas bubbles form in the control device passageways and'in the pipe 3' leading to the burner when oil flow therethrough ceases or when only a small quantity of oil is flowing to the burner, and that these gas bubbles interfere with the establishing of a uniform flow of oil to the burner when an increase in flow is desired. In addition, when the outlet valve is closed so that oil ceases to flow through pipe 3 or when only a small quantity of oil is passing through pipe 8*, air collects therein between the burner stand pipe and'the outlet port I08 with the result that this air resists the passage of oil through the line ii" when it is desired to obtain a high flame.

One of the advantages of the present valve outlet structure is that the valve 94 may be reciprocated as a pump plunger in its housing and agitate the oil in the line to the burner to dispel the gas bubbles formed therein and to aid the oil in pushing the air in line 3' through to the burner. The gas from the bubbles that adhered to the wall of the portion of pipe 3 that inclines downwardly from the burner will tend to rise to the burner and escape therethrough andwill be aided in doing so by the increased volume of oil flow through pipe 3 when the valve 84 is reciprocated, while the bubbles that adhered to the wall of pipe ii adjacent the control device and those bubbles that adhered to the walls of the passageways of the control device casing, will tend tor sein passageways III and I08 and escape to the atmosphere above the level of the liquid in chamber 5. l

The cover 6 is preferablyformed with an upwardly extending tubular portion I22 concentric -with the valve stem 94 and through which the valve stem extends and projects externally of the casing. A handle I20 is provided for manually operating the valve and may be fixed to the upper end of the valve stem 94, such as by a nut" I2I, or in any other suitable manner. The upwardly extending tubular member I22 is externally threaded for threaded engagement with a nut I23 and between the nut I23 and the top of the cover 6 is clamped a stop member I24 and a second stop member I25, the stop members having aligned apertures for receiving the tubular member I22. The handle I20 is formed with a downwardly extending portion I21 for engaging the stop members I 24 and I25. The stop members are preferably individual plate-like members having upturned portions for engagement by the downwardly extending handle portion I21.

The stop member I24, which may be termed the minimum stop member, is positioned such that when the handle portion I21 is in contact therewith the valve is opened sufliciently to permit a ouantity of oil to flow to the burner sufficient to maintain a low flame or pilot light. The stop member I25. or maximum stop, is positioned such that when the handle portion I 21 is in engagement therewith a desired maximum oil flow is permitted to pass to the burner. It will be unders ood that for different installations the desired positions of the stop members will vary so that an installation workman will position the stops in accordance vw'th the conditions of a particular installation. If after the stops have been properly positioned for a particular installation, the user should relocate the maximum stop in an eflort to obtain a higher flame, it will be seen that the h ghest flame he could obtain would be when the stop I25 s positioned so that the valve may be rotated until the follower rests on the highest point of the cam I I4 for beyond this. the cam i'ollower II8 would drop down to c osed position.

The minimum stop I 24 is formed with an upwardly extending flange portion I28 which preferably extends to a point slightly above the lower end of the handle portion I21. To move the valve 94 to closed position, which position is shown 'in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7, the valve is first lifted until the A complete operation of the control device is as follows: Oil is fed to the control device by gravity from the reservoir tank 2 and entering inlet port II passes through the radially disposed passage-- ways 31 and then passes to the interior of the strainer I3. The strained oil passes through passageway I2 of the casing and into passageway 45 of the valve housing M and stands therein at the level of the valve seat 41, when the valve 40 is inv closed position, by the force of gravity. Within the chamber 5, a desired constant liquid level is maintained by the valve 40 controlled by the float 60 which is pivotally connected to the valve and operable in response to changes in liquid level to reciprocate the valve 40 and accordingly open and close the same. When the valve raises to open the valve port, the oil standing in chamber 45 enters the chamber 5 through the lateraly extending communicating bores 48. When the level of the oil in chamber 5 rises to the predetermined substantially constant level, the float 60 rises and closes the inlet valve port. If for some reason the float 60 failed to close the inlet valve port so that the level of the oil in chamber 5 rises above the predetermined constant level, the oil will overflow into the second chamber 88 over the dam 89.

. When oil.overflows into chamber 88, the float 62 therein is caused to rise in the chamber and wardly under force of the spring 65 to close the valve by the engagement of the lever 84 with the top of the valve stem 40. When this occurs, the

remaining oil in' chamber 5 external of chamber 88. is fed to the burner until-exhausted after which the burner flame becomes extinguished. The user then knows that the safety valve actuating means has been tripped. By means of the lever arm the float 62 can be reciprocated in its chamber and by reason of its close flt in the chamber, the overflow oil therein can be dis placed by the float 82 and caused to flow back into chamber 5. By means of the lever portion 15 extending externally of the casing, the toggle device may be reset by lifting the handle 15 until the lug 84 again seats on the supporting latch 83 of lever 80. When the end I5. of lever 84 is raised, the lug 84 engages an inclined edge of the latch 82 and pivots lever 80 so that the latch moves in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 6, to permit the lug to be positioned on the latch edge 83. It will also be seen that the toggle device can be manually tripped by moving the lever arm 85 downwardly until the latch 82 is removed from beneath the lug 84. It will be understood that the rate at which oil enters the inlet port depends upon the rate at which oil is leaving the outlet port I08. When the handle I20 for manually operating the valve 94 is in the position shown, the valve is closed and the lug II8 of the cam follower H5 is in engagement with the stop 98*. To open the valve port, the

uid level for actuating said valve to maintain a predetermined substantially constant liquid level, a second valve actuating means within said chamber including a lever normally disposed in spaced relation above said valve stem and oper- 5 able when the level of the liquid rises above said of this character having a new and improved arrangement of the operating parts for increasing emciency in operation of the device and that by reason of this new arrangement of the operating parts they may be compactly incased in a comparatively small casing. In addition I have provided novel means for attaching and sealing a removable strainer .in position in the device and have also provided a novel outlet valve adjusting mechanism the advantages of which have been herein set forth.

It is to be understood that the use of the word "float" throughout the specification and claims is to be interpreted to include anybody, counterbalanced or otherwise aflected, for maintaining a predetermined substantially constant liquid level in the device, as well as floats of the type having a specific gravity less than the specific ravity of the liquid.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and a valve porttherefor, a valve for controlling said port, a float operable in response to changes in liquid level for actuating said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in the chamber, toggle means normally arranged past center and operable when released to move farther past center to actuate said valve, and a second float operable when the level of the liquid rises above said substantially constant level for releasing said toggle means. I

2. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and a valve port therefor, a valve for controlling said port and having a vertically extending stem portion, a float operable in response to changes in the liquid level for actuating said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a second valve actuating means including a lever member within said chamber and having oneend pivotally supported at one end of the. chamher with the other end'extending toward the opposite end of the chamber, said lever having a tendency to swing downwardly and engage said valve stem to close the valve port, a second lever within said chamber for normally supporting said first-named lever in'spaced. relation above said valve. stem and having one end pivotally supported at one end of the chamber and in the opposite end from the pivot of said first-named lever, and a second float disposed in the end of the chamber adjacent the pivot point of the firstnamed lever and connected to the free end of the second-named lever, said second-named float being operable upon an increase in liquid level above said constant level torplvot said secondnamed lever to release the first-named lever.

3. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and an inlet port therefor, a valve for controlling said inlet port and having a stemportion extending vertically upward therefrom, a float within said chamber operable in response to changes in liqond chamber within the first and m predetermined substantially constant level for engaging and moving the valveto closed position, a second lever within said chamber having one 'end pivotally supported adjacent one end of said chamber and having a catch normally supporting said first-named lever and operable for releasing said lever when the level of the liquid rises above said predetermined constant level,

wall means within said chamber providing a seccommunication therewith, a second float connected to the other end of said second-named lever and operable in said seconded chamber for releasing said first-named lev r,. end portions of adjacent no ends of said levers extending externally of the casing for latching or unlatching said levers.

4. In a. device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and an inlet port therefor, a valve for controlling said port and gs having a stem portion extending therefrom, means operable in response to changes in liquid level for actuating said valve to maintain a predetermined substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a second valve actuating means responsive to predetermined increase of liquid level above said predetermined substantially constant level, a lever operable by said second actuating means, said lever overlying said valve and operable on said valve stem upon operation of said second actuating means thereby to move the valve to closed position, a pivot pin for said lever, said lever having a recessed bearing face running out to the edge of the lever for receiving said pin, and resilient means for maintaining the 4 bearing face of said lever in engagement with the pin whereby said lever is removable for access to said valve.

5. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and having an inlet thereto, a valve controlling said inlet,-means cooperable with said valve to maintain the liquid level in said chamber substantially constant, said casing having a second chamber communicating above said constant level with said first-named chamber, a float member in said second-named chamber, safety means cooperable with and for externally of said casing and operable to actuate moving said valve to closed position, said float 4 member acting on said safety means upon overflow of liquid from said first-named chamber into 55 said second-named chamber thereby to close'said valve, manually operable means extending externally of said casing for resetting said safety means, and manually operable means extending with said valve and operable when the level of the liquid rises above said predetermined substantially constant level for engaging and moving the valve to closed position, a second lever within said chamber having a'catch normally supporting said first-named lever and operable for releasing port, a float within said chamber operable in response to changes in liquid level for actuating said valve to maintain a predetermined substantially constant liquid level, a second valve actuating means within saidchamber including a lever cooperable with said valve and operable said valve member and operable when the level of the liquid rises above said predetermined substantially constant level for engaging and moving the valve to closed position, a second lever within said chamber having a catch normallysupporting said first-named lever and operable for releasing said lever when the level of the liquid rises above said predetermined constant level, wall means within said chamber pro-' viding a second chamber within the first and in communication therewith, a float connected to said second-named lever and operable in said second-named chamber for releasing said firstnamed lever, end portions of said levers extending externally of the casing for latching or unlatching said levers, the externally extending end portion of said second-named lever comprising manual means for actuating said second-named float whereby liquid may be returned from said second-named chamber to said first-named chamber.

8. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid, an upward extending inlet member opening into said chamher and having a valve port, a valve member reciprocal in said inlet member and controlling said port, a float member in said chamber and operatively connected to said valve member to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, safety means cooperable with to move said valve member to closed position upon failure of said float member to maintain said constant level, said safety means comprising a lever in overlying relation to and engageable with said valve member, said lever being readily removable for access to said valve member, and a coil spring arranged with one end abutting the free end of said lever and holding said lever in engagement with its fulcrum.

9. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid, an upward extending inlet member opening into said chamber and having a valve port, a valve member reciprocal in said inlet member and controlling said port, a float member in said chamber and operatively connected to said valve member to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, safety means cooperable with said valve member and operable to move said valve member to closed position upon failure of said float member to maintain said constantjlevel, said safety means comprising a lever in overlying relation to and engageable with said valve member, said lever being readily removable for access to said valve member, releasable means holding said lever in engagement with its fulcrum, and cooperable means on said lever and said casing to maintain said lever in overlying relation to said valve member.

10. In a device of the character described, a casing having a chamber for liquid and having an inlet, a'valve controlling said inlet, a float member in said chamber and operatively connected to said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a safety float in said chamber and operable to close said valve upon failure of said float member to maintain said constant level, a normally inactive lever in said chamber and engageable with said valve, a spring urging said lever into engagement with said valve to close said inlet, an arm on said lever and positioned laterally of said spring and extending externally of said casing for manually resetting said lever, a second lever operable by said safety float, cooperable latching means on said levers operable to hold said first-named lever in inactive position and operable by said safety float to release said first-named lever, and an arm on said second-named lever for manually releasing said latch ng means.

11. In a liquid level control device a casing containing a chamber having an inlet, a valve controlling said inlet, a float responsive to liquid level in said chamber and operatively connected to said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a safety float in said casing and operable upon predetermined increase of liquid level above said constant level, a lever in said casing engageable with said valve to close said inlet, said lever having an inactive position, a second ,lever cooperable with and operable to hold said first-named lever in said inactive position, said safety float acting upon its operation by increased liquid level to move said -second-named lever to release said firstnamed lever, said levers being manually movable relative to each other-and mm holding relation, and manually operable means projecting. externally of said casing for disengaging said levers whereby said first-named lever will move said valve to close said inlet and for also positionin said levers in holding relation.

.12. In a liquid level control device, a casing containing a chamber having an inlet, a valve controlling said inlet, a float responsive to liquid level in said chamber and operatively connected to said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a second chamber in said casing, a wall in said casing determining the maximum liquid level therein and separating will move said valve to close said inlet and for also positioning said levers in holding relation.

13. In a control device having a liquid level responsive means for actuating a yalve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in a reservoir, a safety device for moving said valve to closed position upon failure of said responsive means to maintain said constant level comprising a lever member movable into engagement with said valve member, a spring under stress and exerting a force operable when released to move said valve to closed position, said spring extending in the same general direction as said lever and having one end in abutting engagement with the free end of said lever, the point of engagement of said spring and said lever being disposed pastcenter and being movable farther pastcent'er to move said lever to engage and move said valve to closed position, means holding said spring under stress with the point oi engagement between the spring and said lever in its first-named pastcenter position, and a liquid level responsive means operable upon a predetermined liquid level rise above said substantially constant level for actuating said holding means to release the force exerted by said spring.

14. In a control. device having a liquid level responsive means for actuating a valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in a reservoir, a safety device for moving said valve to closed position upon failure of said responsive means to maintain said constant level comprising a lever member overlying said valve member and movable to engage said valve member, spring means under stress and exerting a force tending and operable when released to pivot said lever to move said valve member to closed position, said lever member having a fulcrum support and being readily removable from its fulcrum to give access to said valve member, said lever member being held by said spring means against its fulcrum, and means operable in response to a predetermined liquid level increase above said constant level for releasing the force of said spring.

15. In a liquid level control device, a casing having a chamber for liquid. and a valve port therefor. a valve for controlling said port, a float operable in response to changes in liquid level for actuating-said valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a second valve actuating means and having an active and an inactive position, said second valve actuating means including an arm member having a portion extending exterlorly of said casing for manually positioning said. second-named valve actuating means in its inactive position, a second chamber in communication with said first-named chamber and into which liquid flows upon predetermined liquid level increase above said substantially constant level, a float disposed in said second-named chamber operable in response to liquid rising in said second-named chamber for controlling movement of said secend-named valve actuating means to its active position, and an arm member associated with said float and having a portion extending exteriorly of said casing for moving said second named float to displace and expel liquid from said second-named chamber, said arm member also having connection with said first-named arm member and operable to position said second-named valve actuating means in its active position.

15. In a liquid level control device, a casing having a chamber for liquid and a valve port therefor, a valve for controlling said port, means responsive to changes in liquid level in said chamber {or actuating asid valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, toggle means normally arranged past center and operable when released to move further past center to actuate said valve, means for holding said toggle means in said first-named past center position, and means operable in response to a predetermined increase in the liquid level above said substantially constant level to actuate said holding means to release said toggle means.

17. In a control device having a liquid level responsive means for actuating a valve to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in a reservoir, a safety device "for moving said-valve to closed position upon predetermined increase in ill-quid level above said substantially constant level comprising, a movable member having a fulcrum, spring means having a fulcrum and held under stress between its iuicrum and said movable member, said spring means being operable on movement oi said movable member in one direction to move the valve to closed position, the point of engagement between said spring means and said movable member being disposed past center and being movable iurtheir past center on movement of said movable member said spring means, means to hold said spring means under stress with the point of engagement between said spring means and said movable member in said first-named past center position, and means operable on said predetermined increase in liquid level to actuate said holding means to release said spring means.

ALBERT G. HAHN. 

